title: Heart failure due to a post-traumatic calcified pericardial hematoma.
abstract: Chest-wall trauma can produce bleeding into the pericardium and initiate a process of inflammation, calcification, and scarring that may eventually produce pericardial constriction. Herein, we present an unusual case of a man who experienced chest trauma at age 16 years, and developed heart failure 40 years later secondary to a large, calcified pericardial hematoma. During its prolonged genesis, the pericardial mass became deeply embedded in the myocardium and produced evidence of both constrictive and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Despite attempted surgical resection, the lesion could not be completely removed, nor could its hemodynamic impact be completely resolved.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Amit H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Manhas
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Reul
authors.forename: Raymond F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Stainback
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D010492:Pericardiectomy; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*